Barrett's esophagus natural history, complications and prognosis

Common complications of Barrett’s esophagus include esophageal carcinoma, esophageal stricture and esophageal ulcers.

Barrett’s esophagus is associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer. Follow-up endoscopy is recommended for dysplasia or cancer evaluation.

• The symptoms of Barrett’s esophagus usually develop in the fifth/sixth decade of life, and start with symptoms of GERD such as heartburn, regurgitation and dysphagia.
• If left untreated, 100 to 400 out of 100,000 patients with Barrett’s esophagus may progress to develop esophageal adenocarcinoma. ^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

• Common complications of Barrett’s esophagus include:
  • Esophageal carcinoma^[6]
  • Esophageal stricture^[7]
  • Esophageal ulcers^[7]

• From low-grade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia or esophageal adenocarcinoma: 0.5 to 13.4% per year
• From high-grade dysplasia to cancer: 6% per year^[8]

• Prognosis is generally good for Barrett’s esophagus, but if it is associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma then 5 year survival rate of patients with Barrett’s esophagus is approximately 20%.^[9]

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